The language of ups and downs

Honour Member

There's a very old joke about a lift operator who's asked by a visitor whether he enjoys his work. And the lift operator replies: "Oh, I mustn't complain, sir. It has its ups and downs, you know.It's an old joke. But talking of ups and downs, it's interesting to see how often they occur in expressions in English. Here is a story about an experience Adel had in a lift, to illustrate their use.

Some years ago Adel had applied for a job with a large manufacturing concern and had been selected for interview. He had been feeling rather down in the dumps, somewhat depressed, in his present job and with this piece of news it looked as though at long last things might be on the up and up, the situation might improve.
The interview was scheduled for 3 in the afternoon and after enjoying a good meal Adel just had time to down a couple of fruit juice, to drink them up quickly, before setting out for his appointment. The nearer he got to the building, the more nervous he became as he realised that it was entirely up to him, it all depended on him, whether he was accepted or not. The interview was to take place on the tenth floor and this obviously meant using the lift since adel certainly didn't feel up to climbing the stairs, he didn't have enough energy to walk up. As he pressed the button for the lift,he became aware of another man standing close behind him.The young man looked a very proud and conceited person, you know the sort that needs taking down a peg or two, as if he ought to be taught a lesson in humility.

Still, Adel thought he'd be polite and as the lift doors opened, he let the young man go in first. This gesture seemed to go down well, was very acceptable to him, and he had the grace to thank Adel. It seemed they were both going to the tenth floor. And Adel stress 'were going' because between the 4th and 5th floor they suddenly came to a standstill. Adel was furious because just when it seemed there was a chance of his going up in the world, of getting a better job,he was sure he'd be stuck in the lift and miss the interview. The other man in the lift asked what was up, what the matter was, and Adel told him his reason for wanting to reach the tenth floor.

In fact they had quite a chat for the next couple of hours. Somehow Adel didn't quite trust him. He felt he was up to something, doing something that made adel suspicious. He doesn't mean the man was up to no good, doing something dishonest, but his manner struck Adel as very inquisitive. Well, after ten minutes Adel thought it was time for action so he picked up the emergency telephone and spoke to a very surly engineer who sounded as if he had a down on everyone, disliked everybody. He was very tired he assured Adel since he had been up and doing, had been busy, since early that morning. Adel tried to pacify him but all his effort went down the drain, was a complete waste of time, since he refused to see his point of view.

The engineer would be off home as soon as his spell of duty was almost up, was about to end, but he'd find someone to help them before he left. Whatever Adel did, the engineer told him sharply, I wasn't to go away -- as if I could! Another hour passed and meanwhile Mr. Abdelhamid and adel, for such was the other man's name, got down in earnest to, started seriously on the business of exchanging the stories of their lives. Adel began quite to like him. After all he was frank about himself. He told Adel how some years before he'd been down and out, without a job or prospects. The firm he'd worked for started to go downhill, was losing business rapidly, and he himself was soon down to his last penny, without any money.

His family was convinced it was all up with him, that he'd no more chances of success, when he managed to get his present job. He was on the point of saying what that job was when the lift started moving and they were released. The other candidates had been forced to wait and when adel's turn came you can imagine his dismay when he found out that the chairman of the interview board was none other than Mr. Abdelhamid. Adel really felt that he'd been sold down the river, thoroughly cheated but luckily he got the job on the strength of what Mr. Abdelhamid called his ability to cope in an emergency. By the way the office in which adel worked was on the third floor and needless to say he always used the stairs.

Head of the Forum

Thank you a lot!

Honour Member

You're welcome our queen.